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In 2016, and after 105 years of McDowell ownership, either solely or in partnership, the business was sold to Steve and Mel Lovegrove.

It was later that year the Lovegroves got to know, and had a few discussions with, Paul McDowell about joining the team.

"I think when we talked to Paul about joining us there was a real opportunity for him to come under his own steam as opposed to in the shadow of his father as the owner of the business," Steve Lovegrove said.

"In 2016 we'd made a few changes and the business had rebranded, I think Paul liked the idea of following in his father's footsteps but being able to do things differently. The changes, including perhaps the change of ownership, provided Paul the opportunity to do that."

Lovegrove said carrying the McDowell name was an advantage in the industry in Rotorua but acknowledged Paul would have to forge his own path.

"Right now he widening his range by working in commercial and lakes sector and also with future developments."

"Dad worked more on the management side but we'd often go to the office after school and if he'd had a good outcome with something he was pursuing, you could see his excitement."

Since leaving school, the young McDowell has studied accounting and finance, working at Deloitte up until 2016.

He said he also travelled a bit and part of that travel involved building mountain bike tracks around the world.

"It's good to be able to bring that business background into real estate."

He said he was looking forward a long career within the real estate industry and, while enjoying what he was doing, hoped he might have the chance to be the fifth generation of his family to own or part-own the business.